Norway and the European Union have reached an agreement on total allowable catches and quotas for shared fish stocks in the North Sea. An agreement on the exchange of reciprocal fishing possibilities in each other’s waters was also reached.
The agreement includes increases in TACs for many important North Sea stocks compared to 2012, including 15 percent for haddock, 15 percent for saithe, 11 percent for whiting, 15 percent for sea plaice and 18 percent for herring.
In addition, the TAC for North Sea cod was kept at the same level as in 2012.
In the absence of agreement with Iceland and the Faroe Islands, a catch limit for mackerel based on scientific recommendations was set at 336.285 metric tons.
“The commission is not closely examining the situation and will decide on next steps with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the mackerel fishery,” said Maria Damanaki, EU fisheries commissioner.
